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Perth-based SME Innovaero has confirmed the Commonwealth’s acceleration of development of Australia’s first sovereign precision loitering munition capability.
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As part of this new agreement, the Commonwealth will support the third phase of development of the OWL B precision loitering munition with the manufacture, test, and evaluation of the capability to further refine its performance, reliability, and interoperability with existing Australian Defence Force assets.
The contract award follows a series of live fire tests overseen by the company, Commonwealth agencies and the Australian Army in 2023 and 2024 where the system completed successful flight tests and payload integration.
Innovaero chief executive officer Marcus Colman said the new OWL B contract underscored the company’s commitment to establishing a world-class, sovereign guided weapons capability.
Colman welcomed the contract signing as a vote of confidence by the Commonwealth in Australia’s defence industry and its capacity to develop world-leading capability, saying, “This new phase builds on these successful tests and positions us to deliver a combat-ready system that meets the evolving needs of modern warfare.”
The milestone represented a critical step towards operational readiness and would involve further development, manufacture, and rigorous testing of new units.
“This brings us one step closer to getting this world- leading capability into the hands of the operator,” Colman said.
Innovaero designs, develops, manufactures, and certifies sovereign aeronautical products in Australia.
The OWL B system, designed to provide a tactical advantage in various operational scenarios, represents a significant advancement in the precision loitering munition technology. Its development aligns with the Commonwealth’s push for greater sovereign guided weapons and explosive ordnance capabilities and reduced reliance on foreign military technologies.
As global conflicts continue to highlight the crucial role of autonomous systems and precision loitering munitions, the OWL B program positions Australia at the forefront of this critical defence capability.
Colman said, “Our progress with OWL B exemplifies the potential of Australian innovation in the defence sector. We’re not just developing a product, we’re establishing a pathway for an entirely Australian-designed, built, and tested capability that can respond to emerging threats with agility and precision.”
The successful completion of phase three will mark a major milestone for the nation’s defence industry, highlighting the capacity for high-end sovereign military technology development.
Innovaero continues to leverage its expertise in aerospace systems to drive innovation in defence technology. The company’s work on the OWL B and other projects underscores its commitment to enhancing Australia’s defence capabilities through innovative, sovereign solutions.
